jan·is·sar·y (j n  -s r  ) also jan·i·zar·y (-zr)n. pl. jan·is·sar·ies also jan·i·zar·ies 1. A member of a group of elite, highly loyal supporters. 2. A soldier in an elite Turkish guard organized in the 14th century and abolished in 1826. [French janissaire, from Old French jehanicere, from Old Italian giannizero, from Ottoman Turkish yan  cheri, new army : yan, new + cheri, special troops (from Middle Persian chrh, bravery, victory, from chr, brave, victorious).] |
janissary [ˈdʒænɪsərɪ], janizary [ˈdʒænɪzərɪ]
n pl -saries, -zaries
(Military) an infantryman in the Turkish army, originally a member of the sovereign's personal guard, from the 14th to the early 19th century
[from French janissaire, from Italian giannizzero, from Turkish yeniçeri, from yeni new + çeri soldiery]
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